[WORLD GROOVE] Currently listening to Kat McDowell - kat

ARTIST: Kat McDowell

ALBUM: kat

LABEL: Rhythm REPUBLIC

CATALOG #: RRCD-85350

DURATION: 20:08

Released on May 9, 2007

OFFICIAL WEBSITE | MySpace Site

1. Butterfly
2. Nagoriyuki
3. Are you living?
4. REAL
5. Home

Kat McDowell is a musician based in Japan and similar to other hapa artists in Japan such as OLIVIA and ANNA TSUCHIYA, McDowell is half Japanese and half European where she was born in Tokyo but raised in West Auckland, New Zealand.

Here musical influences include Incubus, Switchfoot, Angie Stone, Goo Goo dolls, Sting and Maroon5 and she was inspired by Japanese singer Iruka who sung the famous folk song “Nagoriyuki” which the young artist has covered in her first mini-album released by the label Rhythm REPUBLIC.

As a talented singer/songwriter, Kat McDowell’s first mini-album is definitely a pleasing album that I really enjoyed listening to. With her coverying “Nagoriyuki” which was chosen as iTunes Japan song of the week back in April 2007 and a limited edition LP version of the song was released and sold out in two days and was top of the vinyl charts in Japan.

Her latest album features a balance of rock/pop with each song featuring a balance of English and Japanese lyrics.

In a way, she reminded me of older BONNIE PINK works with the utilization of acoustic guitar and Japanese and English lyric usage in the music. But McDowell manages to have her own style and showcase her musical style and songwriting which shines brightly on this album. Arrangement is typically McDowell on acoustic guitar and her band which are drums, bass and electric guitar. But each song tends to highlight a lot of McDowell’s guitar playing.

Even more impressive is her vocals which is passionately beautiful and you embrace her music immediately.

The CD insert includes the lyrics for the songs included on the mini-album and a letter of introduction by Fuku Ryuu of happy dragon, inc. Also, included is a

To tell you the truth, I was not sure what to expect with Kat McDowell’s music. The last thing I wanted to hear was an Avril Lavigne or Michelle Branch-singing artist. But what I got with her first mini-album “kat” was an album filled with beautiful music that I really enjoyed a lot.

Some may draw comparisons with her to Michelle Branch without the angst but I kind of see her as a female Jack Johnson. No negative lyrics found here. Just Kat McDowell and her band with her playing acoustic guitar and singing.

I found the five tracks quite beautiful and I really enjoyed listening to her version of “Nagoriyuki” and the balance of her vocals, the acoustic guitar and I really enjoyed the bass line that had that reggae-like feel to it. A beautiful song!

McDowell has since released her first debut E.P. back in September titled “Rock’n roll boys club”.

I recommend checking out both.